Saturday, May 21, 2022

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Tonight's picture was taken in June of 2007. Mattie was five years old and that summer we took him to Pennsylvania to experience a theme park called Dutch Wonderland. It was at this park that Mattie went on his first rollercoaster ride. Unlike me, Mattie wanted to try this and turned out LOVING the excitement of the up and down motion. On this he and I differed greatly. 

At the nearby hotel we stayed at, the chef took a liking to Mattie. As Mattie loved his waffles and pancakes in the morning. So one morning, the chef gave Mattie his own hat! As you can see Mattie was beaming over this gift. 

Quote of the day: Depression begins with disappointment. When disappointment festers in our soul, it leads to discouragement. ~ Joyce Meyer

This morning, I took my mom to the Tephra ICA Festival (formerly Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival). This is an outdoor artisan festival with more than 200 artists, featuring unique, handmade works in the fields of fine art and craft. Though this is the 31st festival, this is the first time I ever attended. Mind you it was 90 degrees outside and intense humidity. After about an hour outside, I had to get my mom to the air conditioner car, as she isn't used to this type of heat. I thought the festival was fantastic! I enjoyed meeting many of the artists, hearing about their craft, and we even purchased a few things. 

https://www.tephraica.org/festival-artists

Since December of 2021, this has been a very familiar sight in my weekly routine. We dined at the Clyde's of Reston every Friday and Saturday. It has been a neighborhood restaurant for 31 years and only because the owner of the building is not renewing this restaurant's lease, that it is closing. Today was the last day the doors of this restaurant will be open. 

For us this restaurant was like walking into an episode of the TV show Cheers. Everyone knew who we were and truly treated us with kindness and as special guests.  

It is hard to believe this iconic place will no longer be around. I am not sure what I will miss the most, but my hunch is the PEOPLE! We know most of the wait staff by name, we know the assistant general manager, and most of the managers. They are aware of my role with my parents and I feel supported while there. Who can say that about a restaurant? Most places are too busy to truly get to know their customers, much less care about their lives. 

But this restaurant has a very special vibe and atmosphere. People genuinely seem happy to be working there and interacting with their customers. Seems to me a lot of this has to do with their outstanding and compassionate assistant GM. Anthony is in a class by himself. 

The restaurant is also auctioning off all of its collectibles. How do you like this life sized statue of Seabiscuit? 

For years this horse was the symbol of W.H. Stombock and Son Saddlery in Georgetown. The shop was located at the corner of Potomac and M Streets, NW, a short distance from the original Clyde's. Every morning the horse was wheeled out to the sidewalk where it became a familiar sight to the locals. When Stombock's closed its doors for good, Clyde's bought the famous horse.

Everything within the restaurant is being auctioned off. You can see what they are featuring, but I am stunned that even tables and chairs are going!

https://bid.alexandriaauctions.com/auction/the-clydes-of-reston-collection-may-25th-2022-310/bidgallery/

We said our good-byes to every one this evening and we know where several of the staff are going. Most likely we will follow them to their new Clyde's locations. But honestly, this place isn't replaceable. 

We have been going to many restaurants over the years, but no one treated us like Anthony. Anthony comped our entire meal tonight as a thank you for our loyalty to his restaurant. What can I say, other than I feel like this is another loss in my life. That may sound ridiculous, but my daily existence is thoroughly crazy, and when I find people who are supportive, understanding, and compassionate, I really am thankful and grateful, and want to be around them. But like everything else in my life, it was too good to be true, and once again, I will just have to adjust.